ACW IN The Diocese of Athabasca
National Conference 2006
The Power of Prayer
Our National Conference theme this year was “The Power of Prayer. This was a very profound meaningful experience for me because I had been focusing on that personally. Our first speaker was Elizabeth Dyke , a Vicar from the church of England. After jokingly telling us some of her discoveries about the difference in Canada and England she shared her reason for visiting us. In Britain they are still agonizing about whether women should be Bishops or not. So she thought it would be good if she could go somewhere where this had actually happened observing and then taking those observations back home with her. One thing that stood out to her was the fact that the women here seem very confident in their ministry. She said she is looking forward to the day when Ministers are described not as male or female but just Ministers.
Our next speaker was Bishop Victoria Matthews who in her first comments remembered her time with the Diocese of Athabasca , she said the fact she still remembered her time with us 6 years later that said a lot. Her fist remarks were to thank women for their ministry and said if you did a survey to ask people who introduced them to the Christian Faith 80% would be women. She said the number would be higher if you asked who taught you how to pray. It was interesting that at my local parish our ACW had just had an evening about prayer. She reiterated some questions I had just heard at our Parish study on Prayer which were: Jesus is asking: What do you want me to do for you? Jesus is asking: What do you want me to do for the ACW? What is Jesus call you to do and be as the ACW ?
She shared her very privateexperience with prayer when she had her battle with cancer and how great it was to be uplifted with prayer during that time. She shared a story of a very conservative Catholic Bishop who sent out word that at every mass they should pray for Bishop Victoria. She talked about making a prayer corner or space in your home, somewhere you can go to easily every day. It could just be as simple as a favorite chair. After asking us to take our prayer life seriously she askedus what a prayerful ACW or indeed a prayerful church would look like. She said how different things would look if we put prayer first instead of just trying to fit it in, making a reference to sailing and prayer being our centerboard. We had the opportunity for questions after and I asked her What do you do when you were angry and felt God far from you? She said that looking at something beautiful in your life might refocus you.
t was a great start to the conference as you could feel the prayer emanating from her and how passionate she was on the subject. Friday, our president, Heather Carr,& Kathleen Snow of Mother’s Union and Alice Metcaff from the IAWN spoke to us about their time at the ECW conference which 4000 people attended. They spoke of the visuals that were present as they entered everyday and how the holy spirit was very present. They shared with us the table talk which was a time of directed discussion with the people around you. They told us of “The eyes wide open campaign which was another huge visual. They had shoes on display representing all the soldiers killed in Iraq and then another display that showed all the women and children killed in this conflict, 5000 soldiers, 100,000 women and children. They had a story about worshiping in the basement as the facility was too full and how they felt they were missing out and then the Bishop himself came downstairs among them to serve them communion.
We had our business meeting after supper and have a year to pray about where we would like to see the ACW going. We had one of our presidents do some belly dancing for us on Friday evening as well – Well done! It is amazing what they get up to up North! We then had art class and learned how to draw a labyrinth and then had the opportunity to walk one which was laid out on the floor. This is a very amazing experience and I would like to visit one but will keep the finger one I made which can be used much the same way only just your finger gets exercised. This exercise was presented by Sally Harrison and Bethan Exhan.
Saturday we had an outing to West Edmonton Mall but as I had my car and our treasurer from PEI wanted to see the botanical gardens , it was of to the gardens for us. We had a visit from Rev Jane Alexander who shared with us three Bad girls of the Bible and gave us their take on what really happened, It was great fun but we understand they may be retiring as Jane takes her new position as Dean of the Cathedral, Many congratulations Jane. I did have some forays to Tim Horton's with a group of four who shall remain anonymous and let just say our time of fellowship was steeped!
I am told I have still more energy than is good for anyone but after one of the other long standing presidents said that I had mellowed all was well. I believe this conference as well as our Diocesan one must continue so that we can have a group of connected women who when the time is needed can have a voice to put with the other women of the world so we can all be treated with dignity and respect. I will close now with some things I would like you to pray and think about before our conference.
- A Coordinator will have to be elected at this years conference if you know anyone or would like to let your name stand Please talk to Myself or anyone on the executive.
- Where would you like to see the National ACW go in the future.
- I think it would be nice if we as well as our theme song and logo had a theme piece of scripture that shares a lot about us. Pray about this and see if we agree on the same.
- We will be selling aprons shortly and I will be sending information out regarding this.
Once again I thank you for the opportunity to represent you.
In Faith,
Candace Mahaffey